Weight distribution questions

[elite0259]

Hey guys I have an 07 ccsb New body and a boat, that with the trailer and extras, I'm going to assume weights 6-6.5k... I remember seeing a while back that there was a cut off at 5k for 1500s and after that i need a weight distribution hitch, but those things look like the biggest waste of time and hassle, and everybody else with these boats tows them with older explorers and Tahoes with their stock 5k hitches without even a second thought... so what's the deal? Do I really need a big pain in the butt hitch or is my truck big enough to not be an issue? Thanks in advance.

[kstruckcountry]

Is it the boat in your signature?

[elite0259]

Is it the boat in your signature?

Yup it is... the first year I towed it was tough, but I put air bags in and it seems to handle it just fine with a regular hitch

[kstruckcountry]

I have never run a Wd setup and others on here have. If it tows good I wouldn't sweat it, but I'm used to motorboats that have very light tongue weight due to the motor over the back of the trailer. I'm sure yours is a little heavier on the tongue.

[Chris]

It just depends how comfortable you are. This is the only thing i have used a weight distribution hitch for is this. And it is about 10k ready to go.

[elite0259]

Is there a legal issue though?

[j-ten-ner]

I just shim in here since I'm planning on a purchase of a travel trailer.

 

You should look at the hitch. There should be a tag stating the hitch ratings.

Like this one (my truck):

 

 

 

As for the legal issue, I'd say yes.

When your trailer is parked on the wrong side of the highway with the tongue sticking in a mini-van...there will be a lot of questions to answer.

 

That being said the trailer I'm warming up to right now has a dry weight of 4970 - 5065 lbs and a hitch weight of 490 - 690 lbs.

Even if I end up with the smaller numbers it'll be borderline and I'd go with a distribution hitch.

Just to play it safe. Since the payload comes on top anyway.

 

The tow rating for my truck is 9600 lbs. That shouldn't be an issue.

 

What brand or type of distribution hitch would you guys recommend?

I'm not afraid to spend a couple hundred bucks more to have something dependable.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[Chevor]

 

If your really worried about it go to an aftermarket receiver.

[elite0259]

I have a class 4 reese hitch, but I heard that the limit on the truck itself is 5k non distributed... Does a better hitch change that?

 

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[Chevor]

I have seen threads that show stock receiver failures. I believe aftermarket is better. As for your situation, you have to judge for yourself. If the truck isn't sagging I wouldn't worry about the extra weight.

[elite0259]

Mine won't sag... I put air bags in a few years back

 

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[j-ten-ner]

It is not only about the sagging or max load on the receiver.

As the name says it's about to distribute the trailer/tongue weight so it won't rest on the rear axle of the truck or the front axle of the trailer only.

The wear and tear on the wheels, bearings and tires is less.

Also to consider is the better driving stability.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[ember1205]

Mine won't sag... I put air bags in a few years back

 

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You didn't solve any problems with air bags - you masked it.

 

Here's the detailed version of why you need the WDH:

 

Any trailer has a "total weight" including its cargo. For stability and safety, roughly 10-12% of that weight (sometimes a little more, it depends) needs to fall at the hitch connection point and be transferred to the tow vehicle. This is referred to as "tongue weight". If your truck is rated to handle a max tongue weight of 500 lbs, it is because any weight OVER that amount will cause the rear suspension to have to carry too much weight relative to the front suspension. This results in "loose" steering and a significant decrease in stopping power (increased stopping distance).

 

When you connect your trailer using a WDH, you are actually forcing a portion of that tongue weight to be carried by the FRONT suspension and not the rear (this is adjustable on the WDH itself to accommodate different amounts of tongue weight on the trailer).

 

Air bags don't do a THING to cause the weight to be carried differently by the truck, they merely reduce the squat. Use a WDH and that squat will go away because you'll have your load distribution correct over both the front and rear axles of the truck. You will also decrease your stopping distance, improve the ride in the tow vehicle while towing, improve steering response, and generally be safer. Additionally, you will come back into compliance with DOT regulations and many laws which will also work in your favor if you're ever in an accident.

[elite0259]

 

You didn't solve any problems with air bags - you masked it.

 

Here's the detailed version of why you need the WDH:

 

Any trailer has a "total weight" including its cargo. For stability and safety, roughly 10-12% of that weight (sometimes a little more, it depends) needs to fall at the hitch connection point and be transferred to the tow vehicle. This is referred to as "tongue weight". If your truck is rated to handle a max tongue weight of 500 lbs, it is because any weight OVER that amount will cause the rear suspension to have to carry too much weight relative to the front suspension. This results in "loose" steering and a significant decrease in stopping power (increased stopping distance).

 

When you connect your trailer using a WDH, you are actually forcing a portion of that tongue weight to be carried by the FRONT suspension and not the rear (this is adjustable on the WDH itself to accommodate different amounts of tongue weight on the trailer).

 

Air bags don't do a THING to cause the weight to be carried differently by the truck, they merely reduce the squat. Use a WDH and that squat will go away because you'll have your load distribution correct over both the front and rear axles of the truck. You will also decrease your stopping distance, improve the ride in the tow vehicle while towing, improve steering response, and generally be safer. Additionally, you will come back into compliance with DOT regulations and many laws which will also work in your favor if you're ever in an accident.

I'm aware of the physics, I'm wondering what the legality and capacities of these trucks are... If I only needed a WD hitch because if the stock hitch capacity then that's no longer an issue.

 

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[Chevor]

If your to a point you have to use weight distribution to put weight on the steering axle you should really be looking into a bigger truck.